Zatôichi - Written, directed and starring Shintaro Katsu in his 26th and final film of the Zatoichi series, he gives a mesmerizing display as the wandering swordsman in 19th century Japan.

One of the series' darkest entries. Now much older and still a wandering loner, the blind, peace-loving masseur Ichi seeks a quiet life among the gentle people of Edo Period villages. Nearing the village of his sensei, Zatoichi decides to pay the teacher a visit, only to learn that he has been murdered and his daughter forced into prostitution.

Ichi's investigation into these injustices uncovers a corrupt alliance between government officials and criminals, putting the blind swordsman on a bloody path of retribution as he’s forced to fend for himself in a series of sword-wielding showdowns.

The action sequences are frequent and fun, and despite controversy surrounding an accidental death during the climactic battle (for which Katsu's son, playing a villain, was ultimately found not guilty), this was a fitting farewell to Katsu's involvement in the Zatoichi franchise.

Director: Shintaro Katsu

Writers: Tatsumi Ichiyama (screenplay), Shintaro Katsu (screenplay)

Stars: Shintaro Katsu, Kanako Higuchi, Takanori Jinnai and Ken Ogata

1989 - JAPANESE with OPTIONAL ENGLISH SUBTITLES - COLOR - 16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN - 117 MINUTES